incluD-ed welcomes the Publication of the European Accessibility Act

On 2 December 2015, the European Commission published the long-awaited European Accessibility Act. incluD-ed welcomes this proposal for a Directive published just right ahead of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities focusing on access and empowerment. The Directive will set common accessibility requirements for certain key products and services that will help people with disabilities at EU level to participate fully in society. Accessibility can therefore contribute to ensure smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.

As EDF underlines, the publication of the proposal follows the recommendations made by the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities earlier in September calling on the EU to adopt the Accessibility Act as a step towards better implementation of the Convention. The EU and a majority of its Member states signed the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities which also contains accessibility obligations (Article 9) to ensure to persons with disabilities access on an equal basis with others.

As underlined by the Commission, “the products and services covered have been carefully selected in consultation with citizens and civil society organisations as well as businesses. They include ATMs and banking services, PCs, telephones and TV equipment, telephony and audiovisual services, transport, e-books and e-commerce. […] The proposal for a Directive aims to improve the functioning of the internal market, making it easier for companies to provide accessible products and services across borders. Common accessibility requirements will also apply in the frame of EU procurement rules and for the use of EU funds. The initiative will stimulate innovation and increase the offer of accessible products and services for the around 80 million persons with disabilities in the EU.”

Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility, Marianne Thyssen, commented: "Disability should not be a barrier to full participation in society, nor should the lack of EU common rules be a barrier to cross-border trade in accessible products and services. With this Act, we want to deepen the internal market and use its potential for the benefit of both companies and citizens with disabilities. In fact, we all may benefit from it".

incluD-ed is convinced that also older citizens with similar needs for accessibility, as well as others in the wider public facing challenges linked to an accident, a temporary illness or a difficult environment such as low light or high noise products and services can benefit from improved goods and services. Furthermore, shared accessibility standards will help increase active participation in society, including in education and in employment, as well as more autonomy and mobility opportunities.

According to EDF, the Commission has planned an initial consultation period of 8 weeks in which stakeholders can give their feedback. It will be followed by the regular legislative procedure involving the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union.